Christopsomo

These two sweet breads are eaten at Christmas. Christopsomo or Christmas bread has been compared to the Italian "panettone" , which it also resembles in appearance. The Zakynthians, however, are convinced that their recipe is much more interesting. The "kouloura" is made of the same dough but in the shape of a large ring; it is in here that the cook places the lucky coin to be found on Christmas Eve. The Ithacan kouloura tastes of anise rather than nuts and spices. It is made of two rings of dough, braided with a cross and twisted and sculpted to represent the Virgin holding the baby Jesus in her arms. At Easter they cut the dough into concentric rings with spikes to look like an artichoke, with a red egg in the centre and little dough birds perched on the rim.

Check that you understand what these words mean in this document
Dough: the form of flour when mixed with water.
Anise: a Mediterranean plant with small yellowish white flowers and seeds used for flavouring food and drink.
To braid: to join by three or more lengths of string-like material which are put together in a special pattern.
To sculpt: to shape.
Concentric: having the same centre.
To perch: to sit on or near the edge of something.
Rim: the outer edge of something.